Magnetically linked bipropellant valve

ABSTRACT

A plurality of valve elements, each valve element functioning to open and close a fluid passage, all valve elements operating simultaneously by a common magnetic field, each valve element being supported by an axial guidance flexure comprising a plurality of discs with spaces therebetween, each disc having a plurality of grooved cut-out sections which permit limited axial movement of the outer circumference of the disc with respect to the inner portion of the disc.

United States Patent Wichmann 51 May 9, 1972 [541 MAGNETICALLY LINKEDBIPROPELLANT VALVE [72] inventor: Horst Wichmann, Canoga Park, Calif.

[73] Assignee: CCI Aerospace Corporation, Van Nuys,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 1,738

[52] U.S.Cl ..137/595, 251/141, 335/274,

' 267/162 [51] lnt.Cl. ..Fl6k ll/l0,Fl6k3l/02,HOlf7/O6 [58] Field ofSearch .f. ..137/595; 251/77, 129, 139,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,443,585 5/1969 Reinicke..251/141 X 3,521,854 7/1970 Leiber et al ..251/141 X PrimaryExaminer-Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Robert E. Geauque [57] ABSTRACT Aplurality of valve elements, each valve element functioning to open andclose a fluid passage, all valve elements operating simultaneously by acommon magnetic field, each valve element being supported by an axialguidance flexure comprising a plurality of discs with spacestherebetween, each disc having a plurality of grooved cut-out sectionswhich permit limited axial movement of the outer circumference of thedisc with respect to the inner portion of the disc.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures sum 1 BF 3 ATTOEA/EV minnow 9 I912 PATENTEDAY 91912 Q I 3.661.178

snmaurs I hb/Psr W/CHMAA/A/ l N VEN '1 OR.

BY MW ArfORA/EY MAGNETICALLY LINKED BIPROPELLANT VALVE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION rocket engine. For example, substantial temperature variation.

between the oxidizer and fuelusually exists (frequently in excess of 300F.). Such temperature change causes-a substantial variation in time ofthe valve response with most common materials of construction. Vibrationof the rocket engine substantially hinders valve operation. Also, manyof the propellants are quite corrosive.

Heretofore, there have been a few attempts at designing an adequate dualvalve arrangement with the most successful arrangement employing amechanical linkage which uses a com.- mon actuator. It is common inamechanically linked valve to employ a thin wall pressure vesseltsuch asa bellows or a flexure tube) to transmit motion and at the same timecontain high pressure propellants. This thin wall pressure vessel hasbeen proven to be the'most unreliable part of the mechanically linkedbipropellant valve andhas resulted innumerous failures despite manyyears of development.

Further, in the mechanically linked valve arrangements the poppets areusually conventionally spring biased to the closed position. Theconventional method'of poppetsupport pennitssufficient radial movementof the poppet to prevent the poppet from seating adequately therebycausing leakage. In an effort to facilitate poppet seating a conicalseat is common which provides forself-alignment of the poppet. However,in conical seats a small amount of slippage is ever present which aftera periodof time causes sufficient abrasion to result in substantialleakage.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The. valve assembly of this invention features.two poppets (oxidizer and fuel) in parallel physically, but in seriesmagnetically, eachpoppet being flexure mountedto provide perfect discs,with thersolid portionof the outer groove of each disc being angularly.displaced approximately 120 from the ad.- jacent disc or discs.Thisarrangementresults in a'large moment arm and a much morecompactflexure than could beobtained with a diaphragm orspiderstype flexure.The'poppet of,

eachvalv'e has a flatseatingv arrangement: thereby not permittingsliding action of thepoppet with respectto the seat. The poppet maybe'supported by oppositely spaced ribs in a first plane within an innerframe, theinner frame supported by oppositely spaced ribs in a secondplane within. an outer frame, the first plane being at 90 to the secondplane.

BRIEFD ESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a cut-away partly-in-sectionperspective view of a first embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional front'view of a second embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 3 is a frontview of a flexure disc employed in this invention;

FIG. 4'is a partly-in-sectionside'view showing in greater detail thefiexure'assembly of thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is an enlargedsectional view of the flexureof this inventiontaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partly-in-section view of a second embodiment of a poppet ofthis invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the poppet of FIG. 6 taken along line 7--7 ofFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENTS Referringparticularly tothe drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a first embodiment 10 of thevalve assembly of this innetic field producing coil 24. An electricalconnector housing 30 is secured to valve housing 16 and permits thetransmission of the necessary electrical current to. activate coil 24.Within.

fuel chamber 18 is fixedly secured a first poppet valve support 26 andwithin oxidizer chamber 20 is fixedly secured a second poppet valvesupport 28. A fuel outlet 32 and an oxidizer outlet34 is provided withinvalve housingl6. A.

Each of the. poppet valve assemblies, to. be described hereafter,mounted within the supports 26 and 28 are identical in construction withlike numerals referring to similar elements. A poppet valve 36 issupportingly mounted by a fiexure assembly 40 withineach of the supports26 and 28. Each of the poppets 36 has a main enlarged body portionreferredto as an armature38. The poppets 36 function to open and closetheir respective fuel and oxidizer passages 32 and 34. Each poppet 36 isshown being supported by two (in number) flexures 40. However, it is tobe withinthescopeof this invention to employ more or less fiexures 40per poppet 36.

The construction of each flexure40 will now be'described in detailwithparticular reference to behad-toFIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Eachflexure 40 is formed of three discs 42 and two spacers 44 separating thediscs 42. Each disc 42-has a central opening 46 therein which is tosurround in. a tight fitting manner eachpoppet 36. Adjacent to theperiphery of the opening 46 is afirst slot 48 which extendsapproximately 340 having a solid portion 50 of approximately20 of angle.

Located adjacent the outer periphery of each disc 42 is a second similarslot 52 extending approximately 340 in angle leaving approximately 20 inangle of a solid portion 54. The placement of slots and 52 is such thatthe solid portions 50 and 54-are opposite each other, that is, 180apart-center, to center. In constructing each flcxure 40 the solid,portions of the second disc is angularly displaced'from the adjacentdisc by 120, that is, the first disc has a0 loading, the second disc a120 loading, andthe third disc at 240 loading.

The secondembodirnent of this invention (shownin FIG. 2)

tain the coil 56 physically between the armatures 60. It is only Inecessary that the, armatures be in series magnetically and notphysically in series.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 a difl'erent type of poppet structure 65 is shown. InFIG. 2 the poppets 61 are fixedly secured, to their respective armatures60. Poppets 65 are secured, within an inner frame 67'by diametricallyopposite ribs 69 and7l, with ribs 69 and 71 lying'within a first plane.Inner frame 67 is sup-- ported within an outer frame 73 by diametricallyopposite ribs 75 and 77, with ribs 75 and 77 lying within a secondplane.

The first plane is angularly displaced substantially 90 from the secondplane. The inner frame 67 is substantially rectangular in configurationwith the outer frame 73 being substantially circular in configuration.Outer frame 73 of each poppet 65 is to be fixedly secured as by weldingto an armature 60.

The operation of the valve assembly of this invention is as follows: Itis to be understood that the foregoing operation description will beapplicable to either the first or second embodiment, although thedescription will refer by reference numeral to only the firstembodiment. It will be assumed that the poppets 36 are seated therebypreventing flow of the oxidizer and fuel through their respectiveoutlets 34 and 32. With the poppets 36 seated the flexures 40 provide asmall seating force. Also, when the valve assembly is pressurized withpropellant, a substantial pressure force is exerted upon each poppet bythe oxidizer and the fuel, thereby assuring no leakage. It is to benoted that the seating arrangement of the poppets 36 is substantiallyplanar which is substantially different from the normal conical form ofseat. It has been found that abrasive slippage occurs in the conicalform of seat which in turn after a short period of use causes leakageabout the poppets 36.

Upon electrical activation of coil 24 a magnetic field is createdthrough each poppet armature 38. Removal of each of the poppets 36 fromits respective seat is thereupon effected, thereby permitting flow offuel and oxidizer through their outlets 32 and 34. The particularphysical arrangement of the coil 24 and the poppets 36 is variable aslong as the poppets are in magnetic series with the coil.

The flexures 40 permit longitudinal movement of the poppets 36 withrespect to the supports 26 and 28 due to the arrangement and placementof the slots 48 and 52 within each of the discs 42. The outer ringelement (radially exterior of slot 52) is movable axially with respectto the middle ring (between slots 48 and 52) and the middle ring ismovable in a like manner with respect to the inner ring (radiallyinterior of slot 48). By the arranging of the solid portions 50 and 54of each disc directly opposite each other and the locating of theangular spacing of 120 between the discs, substantially identicallongitudinal movement is effected throughout the entire disccircumference throughout the entire flexure unit. The spacers 44function to prevent friction between adjacent discs which would precludethe longitudinal movements of the discs.

The discs 42 and the spacers 44 are welded to each armature 38 and tothe respective support 26 and 28 forming an in tegral unit and allowingfor no radial movement of the armature 38. Radial movement would resultin poppet wear which ultimately would cause fuel and oxidizer leakage.The entire flexure unit 40 is physically sized to be tight fittinglyinstalled within each support 26 or 28. The flexures 40 are essentiallyvibration resistant and have extremely long life.

The function of the unique supporting arrangement of the poppet 65 is asfollows: To unseat the poppet 61 the solenoid 56 force must besufficient to close the air gap 79 between the armatures 60 and thesolenoid housing 80 and further sufficient to unseat the poppets 61. Ithas been found that the force to close the gap 79 is approximately equalto the force required to unseat the poppet 61. Therefore, if thearmature 60 could be moved prior to moving the poppet 61 instead ofmoving both simultaneously, the force requirements of the solenoid 56could be decreased approximately by 50 percent.

By mounting of poppet 65, such can be accomplished. Upon actuation ofsolenoid 56, the armatures 60 move longitudinally the distance of eachgap 79. In this position the poppet 65 is still seated with the innerframe 67 having moved longitudinally a small distance with respect topoppet 65 and outer frame 73 also moving a small longitudinal distancewith respect to inner frame 67. The loss of gap 79 has now beeneliminated and the full force of solenoid 56 can be applied to unseatthe poppet 65 which now occurs with a snap action. In essence, the ribs69, 71, 75 and 77 mount the poppets 65 as by a spring action.

. aspect of flexibility.

The valve assembly 10 of this invention includes inlet filters forprotection of sealing surfaces. These filters 70 are arranged so thatrouting of the propellant about the coil 24 occurs thereby providingcooling of the coil 24. This cooling feature permits the use of higherpower levels in the coil 24 and thereby results in faster valve responseand improved response repeatability.

What is claimed is:

l. A flexure unit for permitting limited longitudinal movement of afirst member with respect to a second member comprising:

said flexure unit comprising a plurality of discs, each of said discshaving a central opening, said discs to be positioned adjacent eachother with alignment of said central openings, said first member beinglocated within the confines of said central openings and fixedly securedto said discs, the outer periphery of said discs to be fixedly securedto said second member;

each of said discs having an outer slot adjacent to the disc outerperiphery and an inner slot adjacent to said central opening, each ofsaid slots being substantially circular but not continuous in that asolid portion of said disc breaks the continuity of each of said slots,said slots being such that each of said discs is divided into an outerring ele ment movable with respect to a middle ring element and themiddle ring element being movable with respect to an inner ring element,said solid portion of a said disc being non-aligned with a solid portionof an adjacent disc within said flexure unit.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

each of said discs being formed of a substantially non-magneticmaterial.

3. A flexure unit for permitting limited longitudinal movement of afirst member with respect to a second member comprising:

said flexure unit comprising aplurality of discs, each of said discshaving a central opening, said discs to be positioned adjacent eachother with alignment of said central openings, said first member beinglocated within the confines of said central openings and fixedly securedto said discs, the outer periphery of said discs to be fixedly securedto said second member;

each of said discs having an outer slot adjacent to the disc outerperiphery and an inner slot adjacent to said central opening, each ofsaid slots being substantially circular but not continuous in that asolid portion of said disc breaks the continuity of each of said slots,said slots being such that each of said discs is divided into an outerring element movable with respect to a middle ring element and themiddle ring element being movable with respect to an inner ring element;

spacers are included between adjacent discs to eliminate frictionbetween discs which would hinder the degree of movement of said firstmember with respect to said a first disc and a second disc and a thirddisc are employed in said flexure unit, said angular displacement ofsaid second disc being 120 with respect tosaid first disc, said angulardisplacement of said third disc being 120 with respect to said seconddisc.

7. A valve assembly for the direct proportionment of a fuel componentand an oxidizer component in an engine combustion chamber, a first valveunit for controlling the flow of fuel and a second valve unit forcontrolling the flow of oxidizer, the improvement comprising:

a common actuator for operating said first valve unit and a second valveunit, said actuator comprising an electrical magnetic field producingcoil, each of said first and second valve units being arranged inmagnetic series with said coil so that upon activation of said coil saidfirst and second valve units operate substantially simultaneously, saidfirst valve unit including a first member which directly controls theflow of fuel, said second valve unit also including a first member whichdirectly controls the flow of oxidizer; and v a flexure unit connectedto each of said first members to permit a limited amount of longitudinalmovement of said first members relative to a second member, each of saidflexure units applying a constant bias tending to maintain closure ofits respective said valve unit.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein:

each of said flexure units comprising a plurality of discs, each of saiddiscs having a central opening, said discs to be positioned adjacenteach other with alignment of said central openings, said first memberbeing located within the confines of said central openings and fixedlysecured to said discs, the outer periphery of said discs to be fixedlysecured to said second member;

each of said discs having an outer slot adjacent to the disc outerperiphery and an inner slot adjacent to said central opening, each ofsaid slots being substantially circular but not continuous in that asolid portion of said disc breaks the continuity of each of said slots,said slots being such that each of said discs is divided into an outerring element movable with respect to a middle ring element and themiddle ring element being movable with respect to an inner ring element,said solid portion of a said disc being non-aligned with a solid portionof an adjacent disc within each of said flexure units.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein:

each of said discs being formed of a substantially non-magneticmaterial.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein:

spacers are included between adjacent discs to eliminate frictionbetween discs which would hinder the degree of movement of said firstmember with respect to said second member.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said solid portion of said outer slot of each disc being locatedsubstantially 180 from said solid portion of said inner slot of the samedisc with respect to the center point of said central opening within theaforesaid disc.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 1 wherein:

the respective solid portions of said outer slot of each of said discsbeing angularly displaced from an adjacent disc, said angulardisplacement of adjacent discs being equal in degree.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein:

a first disc and a second disc and a third disc are employed in saidflexure unit, said angular displacement of said second disc being 120with respect to said first disc, said angular displacement of said thirddisc being 120 with respect to said second disc.

14. A mounting assembly for connecting a poppet valve to an armature,said armature being axially movable from a first position to a secondposition, said mounting assembly comprising:

an outer ring being secured to said armature; an inner ring beingconnected to said outer ring by a first flexible rib assembly, saidfirst rib assembly permitting axial movement of said inner ring withrespect to said outer ring;

said poppet valve being located interiorly of said inner ring, a secondflexible rib assembly supporting said poppet valve within said innerframe, said second rib assembly permitting axial movement of said poppetvalve with respect to said inner ring.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein:

said first rib assembly comprises a first pair of rib elements beinglocated diametrically opposite each other with respect to said poppetvalve, said second rib assembly comprises a second pair of rib elementsbeing located diametrically opposite each other with respect to saidpoppet valve.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein:

said first pair of rib elements being located within a first plane, saidsecond pair of rib elements being located within a second plane, saidfirst plane being angularly displaced from said second plane.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein:

said angular displacement being approximately i i t i

1. A flexure unit for permitting limited longitudinal movement of afirst member with respect to a second member comprising: said flexureunit comprising a plurality of discs, each of said discs having acentral opening, said discs to be positioned adjacent each other withalignment of said central openings, said first member being locatedwithin the confines of said central openings and fixedly secured to saiddiscs, the outer periphery of said discs to be fixedly secured to saidsecond member; each of said discs having an outer slot adjacent to thedisc outer periphery and an inner slot adjacent to said central opening,each of said slots being substantially circular but not continuous inthat a solid portion of said disc breaks the continuity of each of saidslots, said slots being such that each of said discs is divided into anouter ring element movable with respect to a middle ring element and themiddle ring element being movable with respect to an inner ring element,said solid portion of a said disc being non-aligned with a solid portionof an adjacent disc within said flexure unit.
 2. An apparatus as definedin claim 1 wherein: each of said discs being formed of a substantiallynon-magnetic material.
 3. A flexure unit for permitting limitedlongitudinal movement of a first member with respect to a second membercomprising: said flexure unit comprising a plurality of discs, each ofsaid discs having a central opening, said discs to be positionedadjacent each other with alignment of said central openings, said firstmember being located within the confines of said central openings andfixedly secUred to said discs, the outer periphery of said discs to befixedly secured to said second member; each of said discs having anouter slot adjacent to the disc outer periphery and an inner slotadjacent to said central opening, each of said slots being substantiallycircular but not continuous in that a solid portion of said disc breaksthe continuity of each of said slots, said slots being such that each ofsaid discs is divided into an outer ring element movable with respect toa middle ring element and the middle ring element being movable withrespect to an inner ring element; spacers are included between adjacentdiscs to eliminate friction between discs which would hinder the degreeof movement of said first member with respect to said second member. 4.An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein: said solid portion of saidouter slot of each disc being located substantially 180* from said solidportion of said inner slot of the same disc with respect to the centerpoint of said central opening within the aforesaid disc.
 5. An apparatusas defined in claim 4 wherein: the respective solid portions of saidouter slot of each of said discs being angularly displaced from anadjacent disc, said angular displacement of adjacent discs being equalin degree.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: a first discand a second disc and a third disc are employed in said flexure unit,said angular displacement of said second disc being 120* with respect tosaid first disc, said angular displacement of said third disc being 120*with respect to said second disc.
 7. A valve assembly for the directproportionment of a fuel component and an oxidizer component in anengine combustion chamber, a first valve unit for controlling the flowof fuel and a second valve unit for controlling the flow of oxidizer,the improvement comprising: a common actuator for operating said firstvalve unit and a second valve unit, said actuator comprising anelectrical magnetic field producing coil, each of said first and secondvalve units being arranged in magnetic series with said coil so thatupon activation of said coil said first and second valve units operatesubstantially simultaneously, said first valve unit including a firstmember which directly controls the flow of fuel, said second valve unitalso including a first member which directly controls the flow ofoxidizer; and a flexure unit connected to each of said first members topermit a limited amount of longitudinal movement of said first membersrelative to a second member, each of said flexure units applying aconstant bias tending to maintain closure of its respective said valveunit.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: each of saidflexure units comprising a plurality of discs, each of said discs havinga central opening, said discs to be positioned adjacent each other withalignment of said central openings, said first member being locatedwithin the confines of said central openings and fixedly secured to saiddiscs, the outer periphery of said discs to be fixedly secured to saidsecond member; each of said discs having an outer slot adjacent to thedisc outer periphery and an inner slot adjacent to said central opening,each of said slots being substantially circular but not continuous inthat a solid portion of said disc breaks the continuity of each of saidslots, said slots being such that each of said discs is divided into anouter ring element movable with respect to a middle ring element and themiddle ring element being movable with respect to an inner ring element,said solid portion of a said disc being non-aligned with a solid portionof an adjacent disc within each of said flexure units.
 9. An apparatusas defined in claim 8 wherein: each of said discs being formed of asubstantially non-magnetic material.
 10. An apparatus as defined inclaim 9 wherein: spacers are included between adjacent discs Toeliminate friction between discs which would hinder the degree ofmovement of said first member with respect to said second member.
 11. Anapparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein: said solid portion of saidouter slot of each disc being located substantially 180* from said solidportion of said inner slot of the same disc with respect to the centerpoint of said central opening within the aforesaid disc.
 12. Anapparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein: the respective solid portionsof said outer slot of each of said discs being angularly displaced froman adjacent disc, said angular displacement of adjacent discs beingequal in degree.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein: afirst disc and a second disc and a third disc are employed in saidflexure unit, said angular displacement of said second disc being 120*with respect to said first disc, said angular displacement of said thirddisc being 120* with respect to said second disc.
 14. A mountingassembly for connecting a poppet valve to an armature, said armaturebeing axially movable from a first position to a second position, saidmounting assembly comprising: an outer ring being secured to saidarmature; an inner ring being connected to said outer ring by a firstflexible rib assembly, said first rib assembly permitting axial movementof said inner ring with respect to said outer ring; said poppet valvebeing located interiorly of said inner ring, a second flexible ribassembly supporting said poppet valve within said inner frame, saidsecond rib assembly permitting axial movement of said poppet valve withrespect to said inner ring.
 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14wherein: said first rib assembly comprises a first pair of rib elementsbeing located diametrically opposite each other with respect to saidpoppet valve, said second rib assembly comprises a second pair of ribelements being located diametrically opposite each other with respect tosaid poppet valve.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein: saidfirst pair of rib elements being located within a first plane, saidsecond pair of rib elements being located within a second plane, saidfirst plane being angularly displaced from said second plane.
 17. Anapparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein: said angular displacementbeing approximately 90*.